Ping Eye 2 Persimmon Driver

Club manufacturer Cobra uses space technology in driver. Rival company Callaway teams up with Boeing (CNN)Since golfers first bunted leather balls around Scottish links, they have searched for equipment to make them better - - and longer. From the original crude sticks to hickory- shafted clubs, through steel, titanium and carbon- fiber drivers, the game's . In fact, it has gone into orbit. Literally. In the constant battle to beat the competition, to help players hit the ball further than ever before, one company has gone to space to develop its latest clubs.

Always fun to sneak a peak into the bags of the greatest players. Below I’ve posted some bags from Masters winners of the mid 1990. A place to dicuss the merits, challenges, and joys of traditional golf in the modern age. Page 1 of 4 - Is the 45 Inch Driver Too Long?

Cobra Puma, the brand favored by the world's fifth- ranked golfer Rickie Fowler, is pioneering materials and technologies tested on the International Space Station, via its partnership with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS.)Its recent King LTD driver even features a . Callaway has teamed up with aerospace giant Boeing to improve the aerodynamics of its XR driver, used by Masters champion Danny Willett.

Others have sought inspiration from the field of automotive design. The battle for supremacy shows no sign of letting up, particularly in Carlsbad - - golf's equivalent of Silicon Valley - - where big names such as Callaway, Taylor.

Made, Cobra Puma and Titleist are based. You have to look around and make sure there are no competitors.

We're always challenging ourselves to beat the other guys. Every year or so - - and more often for some - - the manufacturers bring out new products boasting extra distance, more forgiveness (which reduces the effects of a bad contact on the ball), better accuracy and more consistency. In drivers, distance is still the holy grail, followed by forgiveness. Some sacrifice one over the other, some try to do both.

As well as developing new materials, manufacturers dream up all manner of gizmos to help the . And those spaceports. The marketing departments go into overdrive. Sexy slogans are crafted. Taylor. Made's latest M1 driver came with a recommended retail price of $4.

Callaway's XR was $3. Cobra's King Ltd. Open with a Taylor. Made Burner driver. Two years later, Ely Callaway - - a former soldier, textiles executive and wine maker - - tapped into the skills of workers from the fading aerospace industry in Carlsbad, California and launched his iconic over- sized Big Bertha metal driver.

Persimmon would soon be obsolete. However, it's not a free- for- all. Myriad rules - - laid down by governing bodies the United States Golf Association and the R& A - - are in place to curb technology. To conform, clubs must not exceed 4. Plus, there are strict laws that govern the .

Manufacturers have differing views on where their focus should be, with moveable weights, face technology, head shape and weight all key battlegrounds. Most seem to agree that a club's center of gravity - - which affects launch, spin, feel and ultimately distance - - is the priority in the next few years. Better use of materials, investing in carbon fiber crowns and improved CG is where the industry is headed. It did exactly what they said it would for my game.

It gave me more ball speed and control of my ball flight and it was a win- win. Even into the final frontier.

Would You Buy Non- conforming ? Callaway began marketing its nonconforming ERC II driver in the USA back in 2. That was then, though, and this is now. Technology has taken over.

Is nonconforming equipment an idea whose time has come? Please share your thoughts or read what others are saying below.